PALO ALTO, Calif. (July 23, 2008) – Midfielder Dax McCarty has been added to the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team after defender Nathan Sturgis has been ruled out of the Olympic Games with an injured hamstring.
McCarty, who plays with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer, will join the team in Palo Alto, Calif. on Thursday morning in advance of their departure to Hong Kong for the ING Cup on Friday afternoon.
McCarty was a key part of the squad’s successful run through Olympic Qualifying in March, playing in four games, starting three and racking up 270 minutes. He played the full 90 in the team’s all-important semifinal win against Canada and was one of four American’s named to the tournament’s Best XI. He also traveled with the team to China for a pair of friendlies against the Olympic hosts, starting both of those games.
Sturgis re-aggravated his right hamstring, an injury suffered several weeks ago while playing for Real Salt Lake. Kansas City Wizards defender Michael Harrington will be added to the alternate list.
The U.S. has been drawn into a difficult Group B at the Olympic Games and will open against Japan on August 7 before facing the Netherlands on August 10, with both games taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin. The team will then travel to Worker’s Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on August 13.
2008 U.S. MEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (4): Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
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